Esashi Tourist Information
Esashi Sightseeing Convention Association
TEL: +81-139-52-4815 FAX: +81-139-52-0234




■ Oiwake Hall / Esashi Float Hall
Informative material relating to the history and transitions of Esashi oiwake music is on display, and between the end of April to October stage performances are held showing Esashi music and Hokkaido folk songs.
In the adjoining 'Yama Kaikan' (Float Hall), you can view the floats called dashi that were used in Hokkaido's oldest festival, the Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival.
■ Ubagami Daijingu
(the Grand Shrine of Ubagami)
Hokkaido's oldest shrine. The 8 scenic locations of Esashi, Boat Ema, a votive picture of boat, Orii legend as well as many other historical materials are on display. You can see miniature floats from the Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival decorating the grounds.
■ Kaiyo Maru Warship
The shogunate warship that played an active role in the last days of the Tokugawa shogunate. The Kaiyo Maru that sank off Esashi in 1868 has been restored to its original design. Inside there are 3000 remains that have been collected from the bottom of the sea on display.
■Hokke-ji
A solemn building of the Muromachi era. The main gate is one of Hokkaido's oldest buildings built as the front gate of the Hiyama city magistrate's office more than 300 years ago. It worth seeing the 'the all-direction gazing dragon' drawn on the ceiling.
■ Old Nakamura House, Old Sekikawa
Summer House, Yokoyama House
The houses of the business magnates of the times when Esashi prospered in herring fishing. Contemporary items used in daily life and ancient documents are displayed. It is a group of buildings representing the times.
■ Old Hiyama Nishi-gun government office
(Esashi-cho Local Material Museum)
You can see exhibits about nature, archaeology, the history, and the people of Esashi. The building is appointed as a tangible cultural property of Hokkaido. The splendid cloth designs restored on the walls and ceiling is the highlight.
■Kamome (Seagull) Island
It was the location of herring fishing and the goods-carrying merchant ship trade called 'Bentenjima' once.
Now this island of rich nature has been appointed a reserve of the Hiyama Prefectural Nature Park, you can do one lap in around two hours.
■ Heishi Rock
When Uba an elderly woman who was a local prophet at Kamome Island, she was handed a small broad-shouldered liquor bottle in the old days of 500 years ago by an old man and threw the broad-shouldered liquor bottle to the sea, this brought large quantities of herring. There is the legend that the broad-shouldered liquor bottle turned to stone, and appeared on the sea and is still worshiped like a God protecting safety at sea and bringing in a big catch.
Do you know 'Esashi' in southern Hokkaido?
'The herring fishing' that the merchants who came on goods-carrying merchant ships gathered to Hokkaido for.
It was a town of that legend and prosperity, and it was part of the Meiji Restoration that headed Japan toward a modern nation. The location where the first huge warship Kaiyo Maru sank by the late Tokugawa period is Esashi. Today you are able to view it.
The sea of Esashi, nature, the evening view are protected carefully and are still same. You can hear about the multilayered history in Oiwake, Esashi and the Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival. 110 minutes by bus only from Hakodate. We look forward to your trip to Esashi.
Jan. | Feb. | Mar. | Apr. | May | Jun. | Jul. | Aug. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Year | |
Average temperature (℃) |
-0.8 | -0.5 | 2.5 | 7.5 | 11.8 | 16.1 | 20.1 | 22.6 | 19.1 | 13.4 | 7.2 | 1.7 | 10.1 |
Precipitation (mm) |
85.5 | 58.8 | 61.9 | 75.9 | 97.6 | 68.1 | 130.5 | 162.8 | 133.2 | 109.3 | 115.3 | 98.5 | 1197.3 |
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Start at the Old Hiyama Nishi-gun government office, then walk to the Old Nakamura House, then Oiwake, Esashi Hall/Festival Car Hall,
then the Yokoyama House, then the Kaiyou Maru.
Approximately three hours walking slowly.
Departing from Hakodate at 7:00 (a.m.) in the morning, visiting the Trappist monastery, Matsumae-cho, Kaminokuni-cho, and going around Esashi-cho then arriving back at Hakodate at about 17:00 (p.m.).
A one-day trip to feel the historic romance.
Operation Period: April 1 to June 30, reserved Service (available up to 3 days prior)
July 1 to October 31, everyday Servic
Fee: 6,500yen (Children 4,000yen)
It takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes by ferry (from Esashi to Okushiri Port).
Approximately 2 hours from Hakodate by bus.
Approximately 4 hours from Sapporo by JR (train) to Yakumo, then by bus from Yakumo.
By car
Approximately 70 minutes from New Hakodate Hokuto Station
Approximately 70 minutes from Kikonai Station
Approximately 70 kilometers, about 1 and a half hours from Hakodate
Approximately 300 kilometers, about 4 and a half hours from Sapporo
We accept questions about Hokkaido trips.
Please let us help you preparing for your individual trips,
small-group trips, observation tours, etc.
Please use the inquiry form.